Patentable/Patents/US-9646341
US-9646341

Interactive multimedia showroom display for plumbing fixtures and products

PublishedMay 9, 2017
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Inventorsnot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

An exemplary display system is disclosed, which includes a display wall having a plurality of slots; a plurality of removable shelves, each removable shelf insertable into a slot of the plurality of slots; a plurality of unique identifiers, each unique identifier coupled to a corresponding removable shelf; a fixed shelf having an embedded or attached sensor; and a user-interactive visual display. Various systems display plumbing fixtures. In exemplary embodiments, the unique identifiers are implemented using RFID tags.

Patent Claims
20 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A display system comprising: a display wall having a plurality of slots; a plurality of removable shelves, each removable shelf insertable into a slot of the plurality of slots, and each shelf having one or more products affixed thereon; a plurality of unique identifiers, each unique identifier coupled to a corresponding removable shelf; a fixed shelf having an embedded or attached sensor; a processor coupled to the sensor, the processor configured to identify a corresponding product affixed to a selected removable shelf, of the one or more products, when the selected removable shelf is placed in proximity to the fixed shelf; and a user-interactive visual display.

Plain English Translation

A display system presents products, particularly plumbing fixtures. It includes a display wall with multiple slots for holding removable shelves. Each shelf holds one or more products. Each removable shelf has a unique identifier (like a barcode or RFID tag). A fixed shelf has a sensor (barcode reader or RFID reader). When a removable shelf is placed near the fixed shelf, the sensor reads the shelf's unique identifier. A processor connected to the sensor identifies the product on that shelf and shows information about it on a user-interactive visual display, such as a touchscreen.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The display system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more products further comprise: a plurality of different products, each different product affixed to a different removable shelf of the plurality of removable shelves.

Plain English Translation

Building upon the display system previously described, the shelves hold different products; each shelf contains a *different* product from the others. For example, one shelf might display a faucet, while another shows a shower head, and a third might contain a sink. The display system identifies and presents information for each of these different products.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The display system of claim 2 , wherein each unique identifier corresponds to a selected product of the plurality of products.

Plain English Translation

In the display system with different products on different shelves as previously described, each unique identifier (e.g., an RFID tag) corresponds to a specific product displayed on that shelf. This allows the system to accurately identify which product is currently placed near the fixed shelf and retrieve the correct information for it.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The display system of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of different products is a plurality of different plumbing fixtures.

Plain English Translation

In the product display system described previously, the different products are different plumbing fixtures, such as faucets, shower heads, sinks, and toilets. The system identifies and displays information specifically related to these various plumbing fixtures.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The display system of claim 1 , wherein each unique identifier is an RFID tag and the embedded or attached sensor is an RFID sensor.

Plain English Translation

In the initial display system, each unique identifier on the removable shelf is an RFID tag, and the sensor on the fixed shelf is an RFID sensor. The RFID sensor reads the RFID tag when a shelf is placed nearby, allowing the system to identify the corresponding product.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The display system of claim 1 , wherein each unique identifier is a bar code or a QR code and the embedded or attached sensor is a bar code reader or a QR code reader.

Plain English Translation

In the display system as initially outlined, each unique identifier on the removable shelf is a barcode or a QR code, and the sensor on the fixed shelf is a barcode reader or a QR code reader. The barcode/QR code reader detects the code when a shelf is nearby, so the system identifies the relevant product.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The display system of claim 1 , wherein the user-interactive visual display is a touch screen display.

Plain English Translation

In the previously described display system, the user-interactive visual display is a touch screen display, allowing users to directly interact with the displayed information and select options by touching the screen.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. The display system of claim 1 , wherein each slot is spring-loaded.

Plain English Translation

In the display system described, the slots in the display wall are spring-loaded. This likely provides a secure fit for the removable shelves and possibly aids in their removal.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The display system of claim 1 , further comprising: a memory storing product information; and wherein the processor is coupled to the memory, the processor further configured to generate data for display on the user-interactive visual display for the corresponding product affixed to the selected removable shelf, the generated data corresponding to a selected unique identifier sensed by the sensor.

Plain English Translation

Expanding upon the base display system, a memory stores product information. The processor, connected to both the fixed shelf sensor and this memory, identifies the product via the shelf's unique identifier. It then retrieves corresponding product data from the memory and displays it on the user-interactive display. This data is specific to the product identified by the sensor reading the unique identifier of the shelf placed near the fixed shelf.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The display system of claim 9 , wherein the generated data is a product specification for the corresponding product.

Plain English Translation

In the enhanced display system where product information is displayed from memory, the data displayed is a product specification for the corresponding product (e.g., dimensions, materials, water usage).

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. The display system of claim 9 , wherein the generated data is a video for the corresponding product.

Plain English Translation

In the display system displaying product information, the data is a video showcasing the corresponding product.

Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. The display system of claim 9 , wherein the generated data is a product line for the corresponding product.

Plain English Translation

As described in the enhanced system, the data displayed is the product line to which the displayed product belongs.

Claim 13

Original Legal Text

13. The display system of claim 9 , wherein the generated data is a plurality of finishes for the corresponding product.

Plain English Translation

As described, the data displayed represents the available finishes for the product on the shelf.

Claim 14

Original Legal Text

14. The display system of claim 9 , wherein the generated data is for a visual display showing use of the corresponding product in a selected kitchen or bath environment.

Plain English Translation

In the product information display system, the data provides a visual representation of how the product might be used in a kitchen or bathroom setting.

Claim 15

Original Legal Text

15. The display system of claim 9 , further comprising a network input-output interface providing a network coupling for updating the product information stored in the memory.

Plain English Translation

The display system includes a network input-output interface. This interface allows the system to update the product information stored in its memory via a network connection, ensuring the displayed information is current.

Claim 16

Original Legal Text

16. The display system of claim 9 , wherein the product information is stored as a database.

Plain English Translation

In the enhanced display system, the product information is stored in a database, likely allowing structured storage and efficient retrieval of product details.

Claim 17

Original Legal Text

17. The display system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of slots have a staggered configuration.

Plain English Translation

In the display system, the slots in the display wall are arranged in a staggered configuration, potentially maximizing space and improving visual appeal.

Claim 18

Original Legal Text

18. The display system of claim 1 , further comprising a manufacturer logo floating display.

Plain English Translation

The display system includes a manufacturer logo that is visually presented through a "floating display," likely using a holographic or similar effect.

Claim 19

Original Legal Text

19. A display system comprising: a display wall having a plurality of spring-loaded slots; a plurality of removable shelves, each removable shelf insertable into a slot of the plurality of slots, and each shelf having one or more products affixed thereon; a plurality of RFID tags, each RFID tag coupled to a corresponding removable shelf; a fixed shelf having an embedded or attached RFID sensor; a processor coupled to the RFID sensor, the processor configured to identify a corresponding product affixed to a selected removable shelf, of the one or more products, when the selected removable shelf is placed in proximity to the fixed shelf; and a user-interactive visual display.

Plain English Translation

A display system features a display wall with spring-loaded slots for removable shelves. Each shelf, holding one or more products, has an RFID tag. A fixed shelf has an RFID sensor. When a tagged shelf is placed near the sensor, a processor identifies the product and displays information via a user-interactive visual display.

Claim 20

Original Legal Text

20. A display system comprising: a display wall having a plurality of spring-loaded slots; a plurality of removable shelves, each removable shelf insertable into a slot of the plurality of slots, and each shelf having one or more products affixed thereon; a plurality of RFID tags, each RFID tag coupled to a corresponding removable shelf; a fixed shelf having an embedded or attached RFID sensor; a user-interactive visual display; a memory storing product information; and a processor coupled to the memory and to the RFID sensor, the processor configured to identify a corresponding product affixed to a selected removable shelf, of the one or more products, when the selected removable shelf is placed in proximity to the fixed shelf, and the processor further configured to generate data for display on the user-interactive visual display for the corresponding product affixed to the selected removable shelf, the generated data corresponding to the RFID tag embedded or attached to the selected removable shelf and sensed by the RFID sensor.

Plain English Translation

A display system has a display wall with spring-loaded slots for removable shelves, each holding products and tagged with an RFID tag. A fixed shelf contains an RFID sensor. There's also a user-interactive visual display and memory for storing product information. When a shelf is placed near the sensor, the sensor reads the RFID tag. The processor then identifies the product and retrieves corresponding data from the memory. The user-interactive visual display then displays the product's information.

Classification Codes (CPC)

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Patent Metadata

Filing Date

June 16, 2014

Publication Date

May 9, 2017

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